Sebastian Vettel said he was surprised not to reach Q3 despite Ferrari’s concerns about the performance of their car in Austria.
The team has been frank about the shortcomings of its SF1000 and is preparing an upgrade for the Hungarian Grand Prix in two week’s time.Nonetheless Vettel admitted he did not expect to be eliminated from qualifying during Q2.
“It’s a surprise,” he said. “We thought that we had a little bit more in hand but it looks like the others were probably running a bit more fuel and more conservative in practice.
“I wasn’t quite happy with the car, I was not so happy with the car. Quite more oversteer on entry than I would like. But we’ll see I think tomorrow is a different pictures.”
Warmer conditions are expected at the Red Bull Ring tomorrow, which Vettel hopes will play into Ferrari’s hands.
“We’ll see, it’s a long race [and] I think in race trim we are always better. I think we will there to make up some ground and score some good points.”
Vettel’s team mate Leclerc was the last driver to make the cut for Q3 and went on to claim seventh place on the grid in his Ferrari.
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Pironi the Provocateur (@pironitheprovocateur)
4th July 2020, 15:33
I’m really surprised Ferrari came to Austria with the car from pre-season testing – highly unprofessional and a hint of bigger internal problems. Both Austrian races are probably going to be a torture but they definitely should be somewhere on Albon’s level with their Hungarian upgrade. If not, well, it’s going to be a pretty dire season (or two).
DAllein (@)
4th July 2020, 16:45
You think redesigning and rebuilding a car takes a day or two, right?
They already announced to introduce new car for Hungary if I am not mistaken.
With virus closures for 2 months it is a pretty awesome schedule
anon
4th July 2020, 16:53
It might not be entirely of their own choice, as there have been a few rumours that Ferrari were hit by production problems due to issues with getting supplies for some parts they wanted to produce.
Armchair Expert (@armchairexpert)
4th July 2020, 15:37
All you need to know to understand is a quote by Max last year “This is what happens when you stop cheating”.
GnosticBrian (@gnosticbrian)
4th July 2020, 16:05
And Red Bull have never, ever bent the rules – or front wings for that matter….
DAllein (@)
4th July 2020, 16:43
Nice one!))
mystic one (@mysticus)
4th July 2020, 19:11
@gnosticbrian thats a bit bold… RBR didnt fully bend the rules but they were really using wordings as loopholes… ferrari blatantly cheated, circumventing flow rates entirely and using extra fuel for more pulse of power boast! under declaring a significant amount of fuel also can get as dodgy as it can! when all said and done, nothing really published about the findings, and add to insult they even reached and NDA!
anon
4th July 2020, 20:27
@mysticus in 2012, Red Bull won two races – ultimately giving them enough points to win both the WDC and WCC – with a floor that the FIA later declared to be illegal in a technical directive (TD13 is the reference) and which Red Bull had to withdraw from use at the Canadian GP.
Todfod (@todfod)
5th July 2020, 0:16
@gnosticbrian
At least Red bull cheated in a slightly less blatant fashion and won. Ferrari cheated blatantly and lost.
RocketTankski
4th July 2020, 15:52
I predict Vettel will be right in front of the Mercedes by the end of the race. Just a few moments before he gets lapped.
Jere (@jerejj)
4th July 2020, 16:12
@RocketTankski I wouldn’t be surprised if both Ferrari-drivers got lapped by Mercedes at some point in the race, especially if it’s entirely SC-free.
playstation361
4th July 2020, 15:59
I hope Vettel dominates.
Todfod (@todfod)
5th July 2020, 0:12
The midfield?
playstation361
5th July 2020, 0:26
No. I hope he comes back and goes ahead. I want him to dominate.
DAllein (@)
4th July 2020, 16:47
Considering Vettel’s and Benotto’s words we can safely assume the partnership is over, and nobody cares.
I see Seb gone by the end of summer
Dave
4th July 2020, 17:11
Ferrari are noobs.
Todfod (@todfod)
5th July 2020, 0:13
Amateurs.. The types that cheat and still fail.